| |
| |
|
Go Back | About | Contact | Web Design News | |
|
|
|
5 Ideas for Writing Effective Sales Letters
Sales letters, sent via e-mail or snail mail, are an effective and inexpensive way to get your message out. Even if your letter goes out to thousands of people, it can give the feel of a personal communication - IF you write it in a direct and conversational tone. To get your creative juices flowing, here are five tried and true formulas that can work for either e-mail or printed letters. 1. Tell a story - from either your point of view or a customer's. Example: '"When I started my own business, I was very nervous about keeping my books. I'm not a numbers person and wanted nothing to do with it! Then I purchased 'EZ-CASH-BOOKS' software. Instantly, all my accounting "dirty work" disappeared. I gained instant peace of mind, and now I can focus on my real job - finding and keeping customers!" Copy written in a story format has great appeal. By telling a short story that relates to the reader's situation, you create empathy with her. People are also familiar with stories and enjoy hearing them (they appear daily in newspapers, magazines, TV, etc.). If your letter happens to be a long one, you can draw out your story for added suspense, saving the outcome for the end. (However, as we'll mention later, it's safest to send a short letter.) 2. Ask questions. Example: "Have you ever stared at yourself in the mirror and wanted to cry? If we told you we have a product guaranteed to help you lose weight while you sleep, would you be interested? And what if we told you this product sells for less than $30?" Basic psychology dictates that when you ask a question, the reader feels compelled to answer it. You're involving them immediately in the issue at hand. Many effective sales letters ask a series of questions that are all likely answered with a "yes" from the reader. 3. Offer something for free. "Visit our Web site, http://www.ezinequeen.com, today, and sign up for our FREE biweekly tips for e-zine publishers." Think of three free things you could offer right now. A free e-mail or printed newsletter. A helpful article, report, brochure, or booklet. A complimentary consultation or a discount on a first visit. 4. Point out a fear or problem the reader may have. "You may feel safe in your own home, but did you know that burglaries are on the rise in your neighborhood? This may be the ideal time to install that home security system you've been thinking about." This method may seem sly, but the advertising industry has been doing this to us for years. Remember how Listerine convinced all of us we have "halitosis"? (It's the clinical term for bad breath, but it sounds like the plague!) Direct marketers call this "pushing the "touch" button. This method isn't appropriate for all topics, but you'd be surprised at how many situations you can use it in. 5. Mention someone the reader knows. "Your friend *Jenny Smith* told us you could use a little 'R&R.' That's why we're inviting you to the grand opening of our new 'Bath and Beauty' Web store, featuring home spa products to help you relax." If you operate a referral program, this is an extremely effective way to reach out and touch your prospects. I wrote a letter using this format for a prominent day spa in New York City, and it generated quite a bit of attention. Why? The reader immediately sees the name of someone she knows - the letter makes an instant, personal connection. (TIP: Ask your clients for the names of a few people who may be interested in your products/services, offering them an incentive if those people respond. These types of referral programs take some time to generate, but they're worth it!) One Final Note: Remember that your number-one goal is to "hook" your reader right away! We're all bombarded with tons of e-mail and snail mail every day, so you have a limited amount of time to grab our attention. Your best bet is to keep your e-mail sales letters within one or two computer screens, and your snail-mail letters to one or two pages. (c) 2002 Alexandria K. Brown ABOUT THE AUTHOR Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen," is author of the award-winning manual, "Boost Business With Your Own E-zine." To learn more about her book and sign up for more FREE tips like these, visit her site at http://EzineQueenTutorial.com/
MORE RESOURCES:
Sales - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
How Improve Conversion Rates Do you know your conversion rates? Conversion rate is the number of visitors to your site that take the desired action against the total number of visitors in a particular period or time. Research has shown that 60% of websites do not know their conversion rates. The Benefits of Display Mannequins Mannequins are primarily used in stores to display clothing. A display mannequin is usually a full-size dummy in the shape of a person. How to Eliminate Objections to Price Have you ever stepped your way through the sales processonly to be disappointed by your prospect's objection toyour price?This situation unfolds all too regularly for many smallbusiness owners.The other day I was talking to Joan who was lamenting how she'd spent a ton of time developing a relationship with a new prospect, but in the end wasn't able to make the sale. Why Write a Sales Letter for Each Product? Authors/publishers are great at getting their books written. Entrepreneurs know their products. Get the Most Out of Your Current Customer The customers you already have could be your biggest lead source, and you may not even realize it.Think about it this way, every customer you have, most likely has brothers, sisters, parents, cousins, and friends, so why not tap into it. Listen! How to Sell More by Listening More! In my opinion, one of the biggest skills of being able to sell well is developing your listening skills. Most sales companies and sales people talk about being consultative but they don't really know what consulting is! No-one can consult if they cannot listen first. Your Proposal Was Rejected... But Why? When a request for proposal (RFP) comes in, you get excited! It's a chance to earn income, develop more business contacts, and expand your client base. You work your little heart out in order to be thorough, compelling, and professional. Know What You Are Selling As If You Were Buying It Recently I wanted a new lawn mower as we have an acre of land and we have to keep it mowed pretty regular in the spring and summer and the riding lawn mower from Wally World had fallen apart and had to have something repaired every year for the short four years we limped it through. I called my Dad and asked him what he thought was the best lawnmower for the money as you lay out a hefty amount for almost any riding lawn mower these days with very little guarantee of longevity. Take the Contract with You I learned something very interesting this week. Thankfully, what I learned was really at no one's expense. Color Psychology Will Make Or Break Your Sales Success Color psychology is the biggest question I receive on aregular basis. The reason being is it's importance. Five Keys to Make Your Cold Calls Sizzle Do you clam up on the telephone? An advertising rep called the other day to sell some ad space in a local news magazine. After I said, "Hello," there was nothing but monotone dialog until I interrupted him a minute later. Three Big Ol Tips for Better Sales Letters Growing up in the South, I used the phrase "big ol'" a lot. Big ol' truck. Health Insurance Lead and Health Insurance Leads Health insurance lead generation systems provide a stead stream of potential clients for health insurance brokers. Health insurance leads are considered to be people who may need health coverage to supplement the health coverage provided by their employer. Packaging Maketh the Person The multi million pound cosmetics industry is acutely awareof the value of packaging. You'll know this if you've everbought anything from those glamorous ladies whose countersare always just inside the front door of Department stores. Write On The Money: The Ten Commandments (Plus Five) Of Profitable Sales Letter Writing According to the Direct Marketing Association, in 2003 U.S. Forgive All Ebay Sins! Over the years, I have been amazed at the "blinding" greed and reckless approach to commerce that some business owners have employed. Lying to customers, selling inferior merchandise, and not offering refunds, left a firestorm of irate customers in their wake. Psychological Tricks in Selling ----------------------------------------------------------Permission is granted for the below article to forward,reprint, distribute, use for ezine, newsletter, website,offer as free bonus or part of a product for sale as longas no changes are made and the byline, copyright, and theresource box below is included. ---------------------------------------------------------- Psychological Tricks in Selling By Stephen Bucaro In this article, I'm revealing six powerful secretpsychological tricks that you can use to increase theeffectiveness of your advertising and marketing. Peak Performance - What You See Is What You Get! Would you like an easy way to track the performance of your sales SuperStars? Will a large sales activity board really make a difference? You bet! This article will give you three easy ways to improve the performance of your sales team because what you see is what you get!Setting up your sales activity board: Start by ordering a large erasable board from your local office supply store, the bigger the better (hint, a big board = assumed big results!) and mount this board on a wall easily seen by your sales team but not visible to your current or prospective clients. Use this sales activity board to track the performance of your company, highlighting the "critical" factors for your sales success. The Email Blow-Off This week's article is my response to a question by Lisa Boudreau of ePresence. "I cold call into Fortune 1000 companies, often times the admin will tell me to send the CIO, or whoever I'm calling, an email about who we are and what we do. What Do Mobile Auto Detailers Clean When it Rains? A mobile auto detailer and their profits are tied to the weather perhaps more than any other business. There are ways to make money even on a rainy day if you are smart.
|
ChicagoAnimation's Acquisitions: Market Polls - 1pennyStock.com
Sponsors: Paving | VTL's | Religious Statues
